Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals Players Battles Preview:
It might well turn out to be this game that decides the eventual fourth spot playoff qualifier. Both Punjab and Delhi have had similar runs this season. They have failed to win two games at a stretch. The explosive batting line-ups have been spectacular and ordinary in alternate games. They will be up against each other in what promises to be a true blue blockbuster. Let us dive into PBKS vs DC Key Players Battles in detail.
We look at the PBKS vs DC Key Players Battles in this game:
#1 Jonny Bairstow vs Khaleel Ahmed / Chetan Sakariya
It was Jonny Bairstow who had set up Punjab’s win over RCB in the last game. He maximized the powerplay wonderfully. Bairstow is a key player in Punjab’s scheme of things. If he gets going, it will help the other batters around him to go full monty. He will be up against the new ball magic of Khaleel Ahmed and Chetan Sakariya.
Ahmed has been a force to reckon with this season. But injury has laid him low. In his absence, Sakariya too has stood up. He was the one who dismissed Jos Buttler early in the last game. If Bairstow counters this threat, PBKS will have had another good outing.
#2 Liam Livingstone vs Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav has had a quiet couple of games. He is easily Delhi Capitals’ most valuable player this season. Yadav has won four ‘player of the match’ awards so far this season. DC has managed to win all four of them. He will be up against one of the best overseas spin players, Liam Livingstone.
The PBKS middle-order batsman has come out all guns blazing this season. He has been one of the best finishers in the league. But it is prowess in the middle-overs that has steered PBKS through. The matchup between Livingstone and Kuldeep will be mouth-watering.
#3 David Warner vs Kagiso Rabada
The Delhi Capitals outfit has been a different side ever since David Warner has walked into it. Warner continues to be a run machine despite all odds being stacked against him. He continues to power through. His consistency coupled with his impact has made DC a solid unit. He has a tremendous record against the Punjab Kings.
But the one standing in his way will be Kagiso Rabada. The Punjab seamer has been breathing fire this IPL, especially in the last few games. His hard lengths make him a difficult prospect to target. The early Warner vs Rabada battle will settle scores for their respective teams.
#4 Rovman Powell vs Arshdeep Singh
It took time for Rovman Powell to find his feet in the IPL. But once he got going it has been great fun watching him bat this season. The turnaround happened in the game against RR. He was required to strike 36 in the final over. Powell almost seemed destined to strike it down. He clobbered four sixes but it was that knock that set him up for the rest of the season.
Powell needs to be at his absolute best to counter Arshdeep Singh. The lanky left-arm pacer has been unplayable at the death. He has arguably been the best death bowler this season. This matchup will be decisive in the eventual outcome of this game.
